And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.

MATTHEW 23:18KJV
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Matthew 23:18 (KJV)

What does Matthew 23:18 mean?

Matthew 23:18 describes how some people in Jesus’ day claimed that swearing an oath by the altar in the temple meant nothing, but swearing by the gift placed on the altar made the oath binding and brought guilt if broken. Jesus points out the inconsistency and flawed logic in this way of thinking about oaths.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to the religious leaders in Jerusalem, criticizing their traditions about swearing oaths. The leaders made fine distinctions between what counted as a serious oath and what did not, focusing on the gift (an offering) rather than the altar itself. Jesus highlights how these rules miss the true purpose and meaning behind making promises before God.

The Greek behind Matthew 23:18

  • ἔνοχος (enochos, "guilty"): This word means being liable or answerable, especially in a legal or moral sense. Here, it shows that the religious leaders treated oaths by the gift as truly binding, in contrast to oaths by the altar.
  • δῶρον (doron, "gift"): This refers to an offering or sacrifice placed on the altar. The leaders’ focus on the gift instead of the altar reveals their misplaced priorities about what makes an oath serious.
  • οὐδέν (ouden, "nothing"): This word means “nothing” or “of no importance.” The leaders claimed that swearing by the altar itself carried no weight, which Jesus exposes as an empty distinction.

Why Matthew 23:18 matters

  • This verse clears up the misunderstanding that some religious rituals or technicalities can make a promise more or less binding in God’s eyes.
  • Matthew 23:18 reveals how the religious leaders’ focus on external details led them to miss the deeper meaning of honesty and reverence in making oaths.
  • The verse connects to Jesus’ larger warning in Matthew 23 against hypocrisy and misplaced priorities among the religious elite, urging a return to sincerity and truthfulness.

Where else these words appear

“gift” Greek G1435 · used in 17 verses

  • Matthew 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
  • Matthew 23:19 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?
  • Hebrews 5:1 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:

“upon” Greek G1883 · used in 18 verses

  • Matthew 2:9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
  • Matthew 27:37 And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
  • Luke 19:17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.

“swear” Greek G3660 · used in 21 verses

  • Matthew 5:34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:
  • Matthew 26:74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.
  • Hebrews 3:18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?

“altar” Greek G2379 · used in 21 verses

  • Matthew 5:23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
  • Luke 11:51 From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.
  • Revelation 6:9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: